The more you understand yourself, the more you understand the world.

The true purpose of Zen is to see things as they are, to observe things as they are, and to let everything go as it goes.

The difference between misery and happiness depends on what we do with our attention.

In the beginning, nothing comes, in the middle nothing stays, in the end nothing goes.

Through continuous mindfulness practice, the true nature of physical and mental phenomena becomes clear.

Awareness is always with us. We don't need to create it or achieve it - we just need to recognize what's already there.

The Buddha and all sentient beings are nothing but expressions of the one mind. There is nothing else.

Meditation is like catching a fish. If you try to catch it quickly, you'll miss it. If you have patience and know how to wait, the fish will come.

The ultimate revolution is the spiritual revolution, where we learn to see reality as it truly is.

Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention.

Only one book is worth reading: the heart.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

Study the Buddha's teaching which is present in every moment.

The spiritual journey is not about heaven and finally getting to a place that's really swell.

Through violence, you may solve one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.

The only things that are truly mine are my actions and their results.

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

Just know what is happening in your mind - not happy or sad about it, not attached. If you suffer, see it, know it, be empty.

External seeking only leads to exhaustion. When you imitate others, you lose your own authenticity.

The way to change the world is to change your own mind.

The victorious ones have said that emptiness is the relinquishing of all views. Those who are possessed of the view of emptiness are said to be incurable.

The dharma is not about collecting more beliefs but about becoming free from the power of belief itself.

Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth.

Wisdom arises when you see the true characteristics of phenomena through direct experience.

Wisdom is not something we have to strive to acquire. Rather, wisdom arises naturally as we open our hearts to the truth of what is.

If your mind is empty, it is always ready for anything; it is open to everything.

The instant you speak about a thing, you miss the mark.

We can learn the art of fierce compassion - redefining strength, deconstructing isolation and renewing a sense of community, practicing letting go of rigid us-vs.-them thinking.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

Do not mistake understanding for realization, and do not mistake realization for liberation.

The practitioner and practice are like fire and wood. The more you practice, the more you burn.

All beings by nature are Buddha, as ice by nature is water. Apart from water there is no ice; apart from beings, no Buddha.

Kindness is the solution to all of life's problems.